In the 17th century some Londoners entrusted funds to their livery companies to purchase or endow Church Livings in the more remote or religiously conservative parts of England. The Mercers' Company was the recipient of a number of such benefactions.

Today, the Company is patron, either on its own or jointly with others, of a number of benefices in the Church of England (listed below).

The programme recognises the critical role that churches and other community based organisations play in creating stronger communities and better outcomes for families.